Summary of story from BBC,  May 9, 2011

A UK study involving 10,000 mothers reports that babies breastfed for four months or more are less likely to have behavioural problems in early childhood.

This may be because of the make-up of breast milk or because breastfeeding leads to better mother-baby interaction, the researchers from the Universities of Oxford, Essex, York and University College London, say.

Mothers were asked to assess issues including clinginess, anxiousness, restlessness, lying and stealing in their children up to the age of five.

Only 6% of breastfed children were found to have behavioural problems, compared with 16% who were formula-fed.

Maria Quigley, the lead researcher from Oxford University, explained:

‘We just don’t know whether it is because of the constituents in breast milk, or the close interaction with the mum, or whether it is a knock-on effect of reduced illness in breastfed babies.’

There may also be a socio-economic reason. Mothers who breastfeed tend to be older and better educated, which might contribute to fewer problems in the child’s upbringing.

However, a spokesperson from The Royal College of Midwives said the results of the study must not be taken out of proportion.

‘We must not send a negative message to mothers that they have failed, or make them feel guilty because they bottle-fed their babies.’